Wrestling: Roseburg middle school matmen shine at state

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The future of Roseburg High wrestling looks extremely promising, judging by the performances of the middle school grapplers at last Saturday’s state tournament at Woodburn High School.

Joseph Lane won its first state championship and Fremont finished second among 95 schools. The Pioneers had three individual champions and compiled 155.5 points, while the Generals produced two champs and tallied 135.5 points.

Scenic of Central Point was third with 96 points. Other central Douglas County schools competing were Winston (18th, 31 points), Coffenberry of Myrtle Creek and Glide (tie for 65th, seven apiece), Riddle (tie for 71st, three) and Sutherlin (83rd, three).

Jo Lane qualified nine wrestlers for the tournament and seven of them placed in the top six. Fremont — finishing as the state runner-up for the third time — advanced 10, with seven placing.

“It’s exciting … pretty special,” said Jo Lane head coach Mike Lander, the father of RHS coach Steve Lander. “These kids have been good since sixth grade, they’ve got a lot of mat club experience. They wrestled right up to their potential (at state).”

Adam Blue, the outgoing Fremont head coach, was impressed with what he saw from both schools.

“It was awesome. A great showing of Roseburg wrestling,” he said. “This is a foreshadow for what’s going to happen when those kids get to high school.”

Winning titles for Jo Lane were Austin Harris (102 pounds), Layne Van Anrooy (150) and Haydn Maley (160). Maley won all four of his matches by pin and Van Anrooy won all three of his bouts by fall.

Winston had two placers: Austin David (fourth, 90) and Iosefa Polamalu (fifth, 220).

Jo Lane and Fremont went neck-to-neck all season. The two teams tied in their Umpqua Valley League dual, with Fremont winning on criteria due to one more pin. The Generals won the UVL district title, edging the Pioneers.

Jo Lane won a dual-meet tournament at Harrisburg.

“I love the fact we’re able to go back and forth and battle each other,” Blue said.